Forum explores responses to loss of city’s SRS office

Douglas County United Way CEO Erika Dvorske talks about Saturday's public forum on the closing of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Service's Lawrence office and plans for the future with regard to meeting the communities needs.

Concerned residents, including state Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, right, huddle together in a breakout group discussion during a public meeting on Saturday regarding the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Service’s closure of the Lawrence office. Local leaders and residents expressed their concerns and discussed their ideas for how assistance could be provided and needs could be met in the future.

Lawrence residents and community leaders gathered Saturday to voice their opinions about the upcoming closure of the Lawrence SRS office.

Over 97 people attended the forum, sponsored by the Lawrence League of Women Voters and the United Way of Douglas County.

Kay Hale, the league president, said the purpose of the forum was for providers and recipients of SRS services to begin planning a response if the Lawrence office closes on Oct. 1 of this year.

“Today is really focused on trying to address the need to plan,” said Erika Dvorske, president and CEO of the United Way of Douglas County. Dvorske said the discussion was the first step to planning a response and an opportunity to assess the community’s needs.

The groups discussed several topics, including the current status of social services in Douglas County and their knowledge of the situation. Participants also talked about possible repercussions of the closure and social service needs of the state and community.

After meeting, the groups shared their responses. Some said they needed more information and a definite plan about closures, adding that face-to-face contact and personal relationships with the SRS service recipients were a necessity.

Others were more blunt, simply stating they needed the Lawrence office to remain open.

Hank Booth, director of government and community affairs for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, wanted more time for negotiations to proceed. He also urged residents to refrain from uncivil speech and behavior.

“The political barbs have got to stop,” Booth said. “We will not get a working dialogue with Topeka if the hurling of insults continues.”

Comments

state Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence; state Rep. Terri Lois Gregory, R-Baldwin City; House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence; state Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence were all too busy troubling themselves and their time over their own magical funding for themselves of their future KPERS benefits to worry about Lawrence and closure of the Lawrence SRS office before it became too late. As the planning was done by Brownback to close the Lawrence SRS office, these political hacks were busily anticipating their own KPERS windfalls given the way they permit themselves to calculate the benefit. In reality, these "leaders" were busy counting their money rather than in the minding the store.

To determine a legislator's KPERS benefit, his pay is annualized, treated as if the job entailed full-time employment and full-time pay.

"Even though they only really earn that for several months of the year, they get credit for earning it all year long,".......

For the legislator listing all income - the daily rate, subsistence and allowance - this is how annualization is calculated:

•$88.66 (daily rate) x 31 (days) x 12 (months) = $32,981.52

•$123 (subsistence) x 31 (days) x 12 (months) = $45,756

•$7,083 non-session allowance.

Altogether, that equals $85,820.52, and that's the pay figure that would be used for that legislator retiring now.

The Senate president and House speaker are at the top of the pay scale, and annualized pay for those posts could be as high as $99,859.74, depending on their enrollment choices.

More accurately, Brownback sees it as his job to make sure that they don't know until it's too late to do anything about it. Not that there was much to be done, anyway. Brownback couldn't care less what any of these legislators thinks, or what they know or don't know.

I have no love or, even, respect, for Brownback and my file of faxes, emails, and even handwritten letters to the person following his ELECTION by KANSAS voters to the U.S. Senate document same.

Irrespective, it is my belief that it is the duty of any elected official to "take it to the stage"; be the proverbial "bur in the saddle"; and INSIST on being kept informed.

These HICKS WE elect? Well, they just want the fame and FORTUNE of being a Kansas Legislature elected official......they figured out the KPERS SCAM; kept their collective "eye on the ball".....and we, the people, get what we deserve. I'm as much to blame as any other voter in this state, too.

Boz, you sending your emails, letters, faxes, etc. complaining about the KPERS scam these HACKS have given themselves? Too, I rather suspect that payout is just the tip of the iceberg relative to CORRUPTION within the Kansas "legislature". Don't matter.....'cuz it ain't gonna change.......Him that has gets......

this is why alot of people did not vote for him, i will never understand why the public -voters don't become more informed when making a choice on who to vote in to office as strong as governor and there is more to come that we may not like and can't do anything about.

Isn't it......and you're dang close to the point: Them "legislators" are too busy fussing about their own money and nickle and dime bull butter to watch the real show that Brownback scripted a couple of years back. The closure of the Lawrence SRS office is but the tip of the Iceberg, buddy. Buckled in? That rough ride is coming......just as Nixon did to the Nation with Community Development Block Grants ("Locals know what's best, afterall), Brownback is going to do again: Give dimes to the locals when the state had been giving dollars which is going to compel the locals to either raise taxes and provide the services locally, or do without. Which side are you on? It's the legislature, stupid, to paraphrase James Carville.....

Once again, notice that no representative from SRS was present. Not only are Brownback and Siedlecki shutting this office down; it would appear they are doing it in such a way to maximize the damage being caused. No coordination planning with local agencies to pick up what they can in the vacuum left by the SRS closure is even more of an indication that this is politically motivated.
Too bad that KCK and Lawrence can't just secede from the state and join Missouri. MO would pee all over itself to get a university with the stature, history and basketball revenue of KU. KCK can join with KCMO to become one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country.

The top dogs will never so up to these meetings because they don't have any answers. They continue to screw the employees and consumers. The once a week email to the staff to keep them informed (joke) was to tell them that even though they sent an email last week asking them to list their preferences of offices to work in, now Topeka isn't an option. They have no clue what they are doing and really don't care about how they treat the employees. This just tells me if they don't care about them it is going to be sad to watch how they treat the people that really need the help. Think about the elderly people that have to fill out the application to put a spouse or sibiling in a nursing home. Those are so had to understand and the documentation required is huge. These people are going to be required to drive up and down the 4 lane highways to do this. ? Ha. This so called Gov and his administration are the worst. They are only concerned about firing current employees( wait I forgot they are retiring) and bring in more head bobbing puppets from Florida.

If the closure of the local SRS office does come to pass, I suggest the "T" schedule a daily run to the Topeka SRS office. It could leave here every working day at around 9:00 arriving in Topeka a short time later. It could pick them up at say 11:30, returning the passengers in time for lunch. And it gives everyone a couple of hours to conduct whatever business they have. It may not be as good as having an SRS office here but it does help mitigate the loss.

First - The "T" frequently runs empty buses around the city. It seems to me that simply changing the schedules around a little and changing the routes around a little could accomplish the goal of having a bus making a dedicated run to the SRS office in Topeka.
Second - What seems obvious is that the overwhelming majority of posters here are opposed to the closure of the local office. The outrage is probably somewhat less in the Lawrence population in general and even less as we move away from Lawrence. There seems to be a lot of energy being spent on getting the closure decision reversed. And if you only read what's here, you might believe that the decision is reversible. Maybe it can be, I really have no idea. What I'm suggesting that is if people are as concerned about the welfare of SRS recipients as they are angry at the decision itself, perhaps they might want to think of a plan "B". Or a plan "C". As Alceste below comments, the current caseloads might be scattered amongst several offices. Perhaps some energy might be used to have the Lawrence caseloads put in one office so Lawrence can provide transportation. I'd like to see some thought going into alternatives should the Lawrence office close.

jhawkinsf, this sounds very reasonable. I will say that I believe that nothing will keep the office open, so the community is wasting time and energy in trying to keep it open. This decision will NOT be reversed. Starting to look at options to minimize the effects of the closure would be too smart for community leaders to consider.

The Lawrence SRS office is part of the KC Metro Region. Topeka SRS office is part of the NE Region.

Earlier, SRS Central Office had given the soon to be displaced Lawrence staff the option of transferring to the Topeka SRS office. SRS Central Office, as of Friday, 22 July has removed that option. SRS Central Office has determined that housing KC Metro Region staff in a NE Region Office is not going to work. It's been taken off the table and the Lawrence SRS workers got an email on Friday, 22 July informing them that if they had selected the Topeka Office as the place they preferred to transfer to, they needed to re-submit their paper work and select an office in the KC Metro Region: Overland Park; KCK; Ottawa; Leavenworth. Too, the Lawrence SRS staff will be keeping their current case loads. Clients will be following their assigned case workers.

The bottom line is that SRS Central Office has no idea what they're going to do or how they're going to adapt/adjust to the Lawrence SRS office closure.

Concluding: THERE IS NO PLAN. THERE WAS NO PLAN. CLOSED. That's it. Brain trust indeed.

My sister is an employee at the Lawrence SRS office andI cannot sit around any longer and not tell some of the things she is telling me. First, they are only feeding the employees bits of info by giving them updates by email on Friday afternoons, probably so they can worry about it over the weekend and be more calm on Monday. There are NO Lawrence employees involved in this planning process. They have said that once all of the decisions are made, Lawrence employees will be involved. This Friday they dropped the bombshell that NO Lawrence employees will be allowed to transfer to the Topeka office because it would be too difficult to figure out how to transfer the cases between regions. They have finally said the the current cases would transfer to wherever the current worker goes. What that means is that Douglas County SRS customers will not have a say in where their case is managed unlike the rest of the State. SRS says that once all of the moves have been made, customers will be able to request a case transfer, but it will only be granted if there are enough people to work the cases at the other locations.

My sister says that they have come to realize that the intent of SRS is to pretty much transfer all of the employees to the Kansas City office, which would create a hardship on all of the employees affected. Of course there are the additional travel expenses, if you have a decent enough vehicle that can make the drive, but it also creates a problem for those with young children in school or daycare who are on tight schedules such as my sister. She says she will not able to make the move because it is at least a hour's drive one-way which makes her work day at least 10 hours. Extra cost there and if you're late day care late fees are enormous.

SRS has told the employees that they will be required to sign a form stating that they agree to the relocation. If they don't and try to file for unemployment it will be up to them to convince the Department of Labor that the move created a hardship for them.

She says that they are going to begin tearing down offices this week. The goal is to get the closure done before anyone has a chance to do anything about it. Meetings and rallys are nice, ,but the only way this closure will be stopped is if they are held right on the capitol steps. Continue with the phone calls and emails, they cannot ignore them all. Politics as normal is not going to work in this case. While we're negotiating, they're taking action!

Letters to the editor in Topeka and KC newspapers would help, too. Lawrence can't be the only place talking about what a disaster this is. Bring up the lease. This is a waste of taxpayer money for political revenge and only hurts our most vulnerable citizens. They must be held accountable for it.

There is a major problem with getting letters to the editor in Topeka and KC about what is happening in Lawrence, unless it comes from someone in Lawrence. The problem is that very, very few, if any people care about what is going on here. The same thing was happening in western Kansas in 2003, when the closing of SRS offices started. Many people were crying out for help and in frustration and anger, but nobody that was not from the area cared. Now it is happening here in Lawrence, and the residents expect everyone else to care about them.

That's why the fiscal irresponsibility is so important to point out. People may think, "Oh that's just Lawrence," but it's tax dollars for the whole state that are being wasted on a rash decision on a building with a lease that can't be canceled. That's on top of the very real human suffering he's causing.

Look, you are preaching to the choir here. I understand fully what is happening. The problem I have is the attitude that many people here in Lawrence have about every issue. The "Lawrence residents are better and more important than any other residents in Kansas" attitude is sickening. It is especially showing through in this situation. Go look at all of the other stories on this subject. On almost every one you will find comments about how the Lawrence office shouldn't close, but they should close the Ottawa or Overland Park, or Colby or Goodland, or Manhattan or Junction City offices. This is unacceptable behavior in my eyes. Why are people anywhere else less important than the people here in Lawrence?

This attitude has made people in the rest of the state almost jaded toward Lawrence. Maybe you can tell me why they should care, because the people in Lawrence really don't care about them.

My heart goes out to the employees that have put their time, lives, and hearts into the Lawrence community as SRS workers. This issue is not just about those needing services, and I definitely see that. And not only will it have an adverse effect on recipients and employees, but on the entire community in one way or another. It's truly tragic!

It still must be noted that at least the workers have a job. Maybe now said workers will understand just how good it is to be able to hold employment in the same community where one lives. Lawrence is NOT a place to be employed and live....it never has been....it's always been a "bedroom community". Most of the SRS "professional staff" had no clue just how good they had it. Perhaps now they'll be showing and demonstrating a bit of solidarity to those that are compelled to commute.....given they'll be doing the same......and watching 20% or more of their net income going to support the driving.

The REAL people being hurt are the support staff who have no way to fund the commute.

That's fine and dandy if you happen to not have a disability that interferes with your ability to use computers and are using a website that is set up to be user friendly and provide all the forms and services you need. None of those things apply to SRS services in many cases.

Plus it's harder to carry a computer with you to go to interview that child at a school in a CPS case.

I'm all for leveraging technology to make government services more efficient. This wasn't what they were doing here.

Don't give up before the miracle happens!..I, for one, am not ready to throw in the towel..the battle hasn't even really begun. There are legal ways that the closing of the SRS office can be fought. I am dismayed that those options have not really been explored. The legal battle could be because of the lease agreement which does not expire until Dec. 2012..with an additional 6 months past that.. see http://www2.ljworld.com/documents/201... which states:
"Both parties mutually agree to the following terms:
1. Subject to termination for fiscal necessity, four (4) years of occupancy are guaranteed.
2. The Lessee may terminate this lease upon the giving of 180 days notice in writing to the Lessor,
after the end of the (4) year guaranteed lease period.
3. Effective December 20, 2008, the Lessee will lease 29,500 square feet of office space at the rate
of $11.25 per square foot.
4. The Lessee will make quarterly lease payments.
5. At the conclusion of year four (4), a Consumer Price Index (CPI) lease rate increase will be
applied at a rate and condition agreed upon by both parties.
6. If the lease is terminated prior to the expiration of the term, any unearned lease payment will be
refunded to the Lessee on a pro rata basis."
another way suggested is a class action suit against the state for not providing adequate care for persons with disabilities.. and I'm sure that same legal mandate applies to children.

Furthermore, it doesn't seem to me that solutions have even been sought out by the local leaders. COME ON!!.. there are many properties sitting empty in Lawrence that would make ideal locations for an affordable SRS office.

I understand that things need to be discussed as to what MAY happen IF the SRS office is closed, but I don't think it's the right time, yet, if ever, for THAT discussion. It gives the appearance, in my opinion, of giving in and giving up. I didn't give up in my personal battles, and SRS was there for me during those difficult times. SRS gave me hope and direction. I still hope to see more aggressive action from our local leaders in obtaining legal representation and putting a "stay" on this incredibly ignorant move by the @@@@s at the state level. In the meantime, more rallies, (in Topeka), more phone calls, e-mails, petition promotion etc... Don't let this effort by our community and those who care be for naught before it's even begun!

Can anyone find out what is to be done about the current lease? Do they plan to "buy out" the landlord, or honor it anyway or what?? I firmly believe the lease is the best avenue in the short term to stop this travesty from happening!

give it up on the lease argument. it can be terminated subject to fiscal necessity. the legislature gave the governor the right and he says there isn't any money. there isn't a guarantee due to fiscal necessity.

Still not getting that the owner is not going to roll over when owed 300-500K on a lease, huh? There is no fiscal necessity. The state is choosing to terminate this lease instead of finding the money they must cut elsewhere. The state agreed to the acceptable terms for voiding the lease, and they agreed to the specific time frame when they could use fiscal necessity in the addendum. Because we feel like it, is not a valid legal reason. There will be a lawsuit, and taxpayers will pay for the broken lease. Toss in the state's legal fees and maybe the owner's legal fees as well.

Right. The legal language in the lease has no meaning and the rich developer is going to forgive the lease. You are naive, or willfully ignoring reality. Probably both. There is no fiscal necessity. The legislature did not specifically withdraw funding for the Dg. County SRS office. The state agreed to the addendum specifying the fiscal clause could not be used until 2 years of the lease were fulfilled, and then only after 180 days notice. You tried to claim the cash basis law, which only applies to municipalities, would govern the situation. You, like your demigod Brownback, might want to take into account that laws and reality apply to you.. But we'll see how the judge decides when this ends up in court.

A simple e-mail I sent to the Douglas County residents in my e-mail contacts. Just copy and paste into your own e-mail.

Please help stop the closure of the Lawrence SRS office by signing the petition at this link http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveoursrs/
and forward to other Douglas County residents asap. Thanks for helping save the local SRS!

I agree that NO offices should be closed. However, the big difference with the Lawrence office is that Lawrence also provides MANY services to surrounding communities, many if not all of which those smaller communities do not have.. ie.. CASA, Homeless Services, Cottenwood, DCCCA and First Step House at Lakeview, Dgls Cnty Senior Services, Independence Inc., Law/Dgls Cnty Housing Authority, Salvation Army, Domestic Violence Shelter, United Way of Dgls Cnty... etc etc....

Losing SRS in Lawrence will effect many because we do have those other services. I have been very vocal, and expressed the concerns as to who and why many many times over the weeks of this discussion. Yes, it is for all persons, but the point is, when people are in need of more specialized services, Lawrence has those, and many of those specialized services are also available to other Douglas County and Kansas residents. They in turn use SRS as a way of helping those they serve. Though my emotions DO run high on this subject, I know that not having an SRS in Lawrence would effect those agencies that also help others throughout the state. There will not be any savings realized. Extra time, travel and overload will only put strain on the SRS everywhere. There is so much more I could say about the subject, but I've said much more over the course of the last few weeks.

Look, I don't think anyone posting in response to you has told you that you are plain wrong on all accounts (like you did to me). I do think that you have a strong viewpoint on the subject, and that is fine. None2 did not say that losing the SRS office is a positive in any way, shape or form. In fact, from reading their previous comments, they don't think the office should be closed either. But, what they siad does have credence as well, and if you are unwilling to even look at views presented that do not share your view, you are doing a disservice to the fight to keep the SRS office open. None2 astutely pointed out that only screams from Lawrence will not change the decision, and that screams from the entire state are needed. However, I fear that even that may not be enough.

I can tell you that you are wrong from my own personal standpoint as a citizen of Lawrence. I hate that any community has to have their SRS office closed. However, I still stand by my original THOUGHTS on why Lawrence's office is in a different catagory.

I beg the media to continue to follow this and ask the important questions. I can tell you that state employees are fearful to speak out, as this administration does not respect one's right to do so, and it is likely that you will find yourself without a job. Please ask the following-
1. How many new positions Siedlecki has created in SRS Central Office to serve as mouthpieces for the conservative agenda. I can tell you, as an SRS employee, there are positions directly under him, likely all making 100,000 plus, that have never existed in the agency before (examples include the new chief of staff Jeff Kahrs, who exist so that the Secretary himself does not have to deal with staff. The new position of Deputy Secretary of Faith based initiatives, which....well don't get me started on, there are new positions that have been created to speak to the media and try to do damage control around what they are doing).
2. How much salary money is being used with the new top administrators in Central Office in SRS in comparison to previous administrations? I bet the difference would have said nearly all of the SRS offices that are set for closure.

While it is being claimed that these closures are being done to address a budget shortfall and a call to reduce administrative spending by one million dollars, please don't be mistaken that this money has been saved. It has just been relocated to the hands of a few, most of whom have come here from Florida to ride the Brownback train to Washington. These individuals know nothing about and care very little about Kansas itself.

Employees that have worked for the state for years indicate that this is the worst it has ever been. This new administration makes decisions and does not solicit feedback from the individuals in the communities in which SRS serves. They have come here with one agenda, and that has nothing to do with saving you money as a tax payer. Guaranteed.

I should add, Siedlecki has fired nearly all program directors and brought in people from Florida. Additionally, he fired nearly all of the directors in the regions that serve the communities. This has nothing to do with work performance, but this decision was done so that he could put in individuals that would support his agenda, nothing more. The new leadership, 90% from Florida, know nothing about Kansas or knowledge about SRS. While this approach and leadership may have worked in Florida for all these folks, I hope Kansans will make it clear that it just doesn't fly here.

That was brought up by someone at the forum. Those who are savvy will figure out a way to get to the offices in KC. The problem is those who are milking the system are savvy. They will be able to continue to milk the system. Those who are in real need will have problems. This "solution" will only increase fraud.